The UEFA Champions League group stage draw took place on Thursday afternoon. A number of African stars are set to do battle.
Sébastien Haller and Dortmund in the group of death
Despite the absence of the last four "African Ballon d'Or" winners Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, European football grounds will once again see African stars cross paths in the group stages.
The draw, made this Thursday afternoon, has, for example, placed Achraf Hakimi of PSG and Sébastien Haller of Dortmund in the same group. The Moroccan full-back won the competition with Real Madrid, where he was a mere extra, and has since made a name for himself on loan at Dortmund. He will therefore come up against some of his former BVB team-mates. He should also come up against Ivorian striker Sébastien Haller, who boasts one of the best ratios in the Champions League (11 goals in 10 games).
Victor Osimhen against Real Madrid
These two African stars are in what could be called the group of death. In addition to PSG and Dortmund, there's Ismaël Bennacer's AC Milan, who reached the semi-finals last year. But also Newcastle, who are making their return to the competition after an absence of over 20 years. Even if their start to the season has been a little complicated, with defeats to City (1-0) and Liverpool (2-1), the Magpies are full of energy and capable of upsetting any team.
Group B also boasts a fine line-up of top African players, including Youssef En-Nesyri's Sevilla, Thomas Partey's Arsenal, Ibrahim Sangaré's PSV and Lens (Abdoul Samed, Masadio Haidara, Morgan Guilavogui).
Victor Osimhen, who could succeed Sadio Mané as African Ballon d'Or winner, will be up against the King of the competition, Real Madrid. In Group C, his team Napoli will also face Benfica and Union Berlin.
The 2023/24 group stage draw ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/kCTj9JfBFM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 31, 2023
